GEORGETOWN, Guyana – THE Nicolás Maduro administration in Venezuela has sent a warship into Guyana’s territorial waters, further escalating tensions between the two South American nations.
According to reports from Georgetown, the Guyanese government is investigating the presence of a Venezuelan military vessel sailing in Guyana’s waters near the contentious Stabroek Block, where the majority of the country’s oil production is concentrated.
The presence of the vessel has triggered a diplomatic dispute, prompting Georgetown to formally notify its international partners and allies. The government is also preparing to lodge a formal complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In response, the Guyanese government has summoned Venezuela's ambassador to Georgetown to seek clarification and formally protest the vessel’s presence.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in a national address this morning, stated that he has instructed Guyana’s embassy in Caracas to file a formal protest with the Venezuelan government.
Guyana’s international partners, including the United Kingdom, France, the Regional Security System (RSS), and CARICOM, have responded positively to the country’s concerns.
Ali emphasized that Guyana will continue to work with its neighbors, including Brazil, at both the military and diplomatic levels to de-escalate the situation.
“We are monitoring this situation. I can tell you that the chair of CARICOM is already actively engaging on this matter with Venezuela and also the Argyle agreement...Prime Minister Ralph Gonzalez has been informed of this development and he is also in communication with Caracas,” Ali noted.
Tensions between the two countries have intensified in recent years, particularly after Guyana discovered large deposits of oil in commercial quantities. Caracas has since revived its long-standing claim that two-thirds of the Essequibo region belong to Venezuela, despite the issue being settled over a century ago.
“We have already deployed air assets within our exclusive economic zone and within our exclusive waters. The Coast Guard is also in the process of being deployed. Later today, we'll formally advise the International Court of Justice of this incident,,” the President stated.
He continued, “Our lawyers are working with us to ensure that the documentations are fully prepared. We'll also bring this matter to the immediate attention of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States, and of course, as I said, CARICOM.”
